The adoption and diffusion of the International Patient Summary

The International Patient Summary (IPS) provides a standardized set of essential clinical data, designed to ensure safe and effective healthcare delivery during unscheduled or emergency medical situations. Despite its potential benefits, the practical value and opportunities for improvement remain underexplored. This study evaluates the clinical relevance of the IPS and its capacity to enhance healthcare outcomes through a literature review, combined with interviews with healthcare professionals. The results demonstrate significant advantages, such as better care quality, improved data accessibility, and enhanced patient safety. However, challenges including data security concerns, technical limitations, and high implementation costs hinder widespread adoption. To fully leverage the IPS's potential, strategies must focus on strengthening data privacy, promoting interoperability across electronic health records, and actively engaging healthcare professionals in the implementation process. Overall, this study underscores the importance of leveraging the value and addressing these barriers to continue the global standardization and success of the IPS.